367. Nap Time
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In the dimly lit room, only two candles flickered, casting a warm glow that illuminated everything around the coffee table.
There were two figures, one big and one small, snuggled up against each other. Lin Nan rested against Chen Yao’s chest, cradling a goblet while her cheeks glowed with excitement as she sipped her pineapple beer, one gulp after another.
Chen Yao sat up straight, supporting Lin Nan’s weight. He tried to cut the steak on their plate with fork and kn*fe, but practically all of it vanished into Lin Nan’s stomach. Curiosity got the best of him as he glanced at her slightly bulging tummy, questioning how she could eat so much. As for him, after lunch, he just couldn’t muster up the appetite for another steak.
His girlfriend swayed slightly, clearly a bit tipsy, shaking her goblet like a total goof. No, wait—scratch that—she was adorably silly. Chen Yao mentally corrected himself, terrified that if he slipped up in his thoughts, this lovely candlelit lunch might turn into a bloodbath.
“Aren’t we gaming this afternoon? Aren’t you skipping class?” Lin Nan looked up at Chen Yao.
Seeing the blush on her cheeks, Chen Yao helplessly nodded. Even if they went to class, with how she looked right now, she’d probably just end up snoozing away—and snoring like a chainsaw at that!
“I’ll get Junhui to mark me present for class. What about you… does Liu Xuefei have class this afternoon?”
When Lin Nan was just a plain Jane in class, no one noticed when she ditched. But since this semester, thanks to a little fame and a prettier face, marking her present had become a whole operation.
Lin Nan pondered for a moment. “What if Lin Kexin marks me present? You know, that class monitor.”
“But her seat number is right next to yours…”
“Then have her arrange it for me, umm.” Lin Nan fished her phone from her pocket, but it wouldn’t unlock—dead battery.
She turned and reached for Chen Yao’s pocket.
“Lend me your phone!” She pulled out his phone and muttered, “Maybe I can get Big Dog to mark me present. He’s got guts and is always eager to help…”
Chen Yao popped a piece of beef into his mouth and chuckled, “That guy’s pretty funny! I heard he opened a milk tea shop?”
“Yeah, and he even asked me to wear a maid outfit to attract customers.”
Chen Yao froze mid-chew, grumbling, “Shameless! Big Dog really has no shame!”
He’d only seen Lin Nan in a maid outfit once, and now Big Dog was suggesting she sport that to lure in customers—actual chills of excitement rippled through him. But then again, thinking about other guys eyeing Lin Nan with weird looks made him a tad jealous.
Lin Nan used Chen Yao’s phone to text Lin Kexin to ask for help, then plopped it down beside her and yawned, finishing off the last of her pineapple beer.
She hadn’t drunk much but her rosy cheeks reflected the candlelight beautifully, making it hard for Chen Yao to tear his gaze away from her face.
Watching his girlfriend mumble some indecipherable words, Lin Nan rolled over and snuggled into him, rubbing her face against his arm like a cat.
He suddenly realized that his shirt was being used like a towel.
Lin Nan felt her eyelids droop, used to afternoon naps, and with a bit of alcohol in her system, she was even sleepier.
“Turn on the lights, it’s broad daylight!” she yawned.
“Why turn on the lights?” Chen Yao’s hand wandered a little too freely onto her backside. Looking at her adorable, inviting appearance made his mouth dry.
But he fought off the naughty thoughts. “So, how’s this surprise?”
“Burp! Not bad,” Lin Nan rubbed her full belly. “I’m stuffed.”
“Just stuffed?”
“Umm…” Lin Nan furrowed her brow, thought for a moment, then nodded, “Roses are pretty too. I wanna eat rose cake.”
Could we not think only about food for once?
Chen Yao gently pressed on her little tummy. “It’s full now; stop thinking about food, don’t overeat.”
“Turn on the lights…” Lin Nan reminded again.
“Aren’t you supposed to be taking a nap? What’s the point of turning on the lights?”
“True…” She wiggled, leaning her upper body against Chen Yao, wrapping her arms around his neck and looking up with puppy-dog eyes, “Then carry me to bed!”
Just like a little cat.
With a sigh, Chen Yao nodded. He wrapped one arm around her neck and with the other, grabbed the back of her knees, lifting her up.
Lin Nan squealed, but immediately followed it up with joyous laughter, “Be careful! If I fall, do I have to pay for myself?”
“Pay my future life.” Chen Yao jostled her a bit, “You’re heavier than last time! If you get any chubbier, I might not be able to carry you.”
“I just ate a lot today!” Lin Nan flat-out refused to admit she was getting chubby.
“Being a bit plump is good; pork’s getting expensive, and ribs are sky-high!”
He carried Lin Nan into the bedroom and carefully set her down.
She rolled onto the bed, covered herself with blankets, turned to the side, propped herself up with her right hand, then patted the other side of the bed, “Come! Serve your emperor!”
“I’m not sleepy.”
“Faster, faster! Today’s your turn!”
Defeated, Chen Yao sat on the bed. He didn’t have the habit of taking naps at all.
He reclined against the headboard, looking at the excited Lin Nan, asking again, “So, is this gift okay?”
“Of course!” Lin Nan replied, her voice cracking into an odd high pitch.
“Do you think I’m an animated character?” Chen Yao chuckled, tapping Lin Nan’s forehead gently with his knuckle, “Sleep now; I’ll sit here and once you’re asleep, I’ll game.”
Finally satisfied, Lin Nan nodded and rolled over, resting her head on Chen Yao’s arm comfortably.
Within minutes, she was softly snoring.
“Why are you snoring so adorably?” Chen Yao couldn’t resist squeezing her chubby cheeks but was careful not to be too rough, fearing he’d wake her.
Though her head wasn’t heavy, after a while, his arm felt numb and tingly.
He tried to pull his arm out, but doing so would definitely wake Lin Nan, and she had a temper—especially when jolted awake, she could be like a volcano.
So he gingerly lay down, moving his arm so it nestled under Lin Nan’s neck instead of directly behind her head.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if this lasted forever?” Chen Yao gazed at Lin Nan’s delicate profile, a slight smile creeping onto his lips, “If only it could be a bit spicier…”
Suddenly, he felt a hand creep up to his waist, sending a shiver down his spine, tightening his muscles, followed by a sharp pain.
Lin Nan had already woken up from his little movements, and in her groggy state, happened to hear his musings.
“Such a tease…” she turned over, curling up in Chen Yao’s embrace, “Sleep now, and don’t move around.”
